Hair wave processing indicator



Patented Jan. 31, 1950 UNITED STATES eaTsNT ortica 4 Claims.

My invention relates to a device which indicates when human hair has been properly processed to cause a wave or curl.

1t is among the objects of my invention to provide an electrically operated instrument which duplicates on a reduced scale the hair waving process and then accurately indicates when the waving process has been completed.

Further objects of my invention are to provide a means for the accurate measurement and indi cation of the waveability and degree of wave of human hair, and to indicate the time required to wave the hair and to assure the proper degree of curl; to eliminate the necessity of human judgment, which is subject to great error; to provide such a device in which there are no electrical contacts to the head and to provide a di rect means of recording the actual physical change of the hair instead of a relative factor; to provide a means by which the manual and chemical actions of the beauty operator are duplicated remotely and on a reduced scale in an instrument simultaneously with the processing of the subjects hair; to provide visible and audible means of indicating to the operator that the hair of the subject has been suiciently processed, and to provide an accurate indication of the porosity and/or texture of hair for other purposes, such as dyeing and heat permanent waving; to permit the operator to use such processes with a higher degree of accuracy.

My invention also comprises such further objects, advantages and capabilities as will later more fully appear, and which are inherently possessed by my invention.

Heretofore, in cold waving hair with a thioglycolic acid solution buiered with ammonia, the operator saturated the hair with the solution, rolled the hair on curlers, remoistened the hair, and then placed a cap on the head, which cap was left on until the operator determined that the hair was sufficiently waved. The method of determining whether or not the hair was waved was largely a matter of human guess work, the accuracy of which was dependent upon the experience and skill of the operator, who usually lifted the cap, unrolled one curler, and examined it :for evidence of a curl by visual and sensory judgment. This method was subject to inaccuracies due to the failure of the operator to makev the axamination at the correct time, and due also toincorrect judgment on the part of the operator and to misleading visual indications.

Attempts have been made to solve this problem by conductivity methods in which one curl is selected, and a metal curler is used to pass a small current through the hair, which has been previously moistened with waving solution. The resistance change in the hair during the waving process is then measured by a potentiometer, the readings of which are supposed to indicate the structural change taking place in the hair. This method has not proved satisfactory because variations in the amount of solution with which the hair is saturated, or variations in the volume of hair in the curlers may cause erroneous readings. There is also frequent error in setting such devices to match the texture of the hair and its porosity or condition.

My device solves these problems through the use of an extremely sensitive membrane test cell around which is wrapped a curl of hair taken from the person whose hair is being waved. The curl is fastened at both ends and dipped in waving solution. It is maintained at body te perature and as the waving process takes place,

it contracts and exerts physical pressure on the cell. This causes the closing of an electrical circuit to produce a small voltage, which is ampliiied. The amplified signal is then used to give visible and audible signal that the hair waving process has been completed.

While I have showed in the accompanying drawings a preferred embodiment of my invention, it is understood that the same is susceptible of modification and change without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 is a front view of my hair processing indicator, Fig. 2 is a side `elevational view partially in section along line 2-2 of Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a schematic circuit diagram of my indicator, showing all of the electrical components `and conducting fluid system.

One embodiment of my invention comprises a body member I0, which houses all of the me c hanical and electrical components of my indicator device. In operation, my device is connected to a suitable source of volt alternating current electrical supply by means of a conventional cord and` plug. Within the lower front portion of the body member I is a test chamber II, the front of which is open and is surrounded by a metal framework. .Slidably mounted in said framework, and attached to one side thereof is a glass cover I2.

Mounted within test chamber II by means o screws fastened to the back wall is a pair of' clamps I3 and I4. Said clamps comprise U- shaped stationary members I5 and I6, the lower arms of which are covered by rubber jackets I'I and I8. Screws threaded through an opening in the upper arm of each of said clamps I3 and I4 are thumb screws I9 and 2D, which are fastened at their lower ends to sliding cross members 2l and 22. Cross members 2| and 22 are L-shaped so that one end of the L slides along the wall portion of clamps I3 and I4 and the other end slides through an opening in the upper arm of clamps I3 and I4.

In operation, clamps I3 and I4 are controlled by rotation of thumb screws I9 and 29, which causes sliding cross members 2I and 22 to slide downwardly to contact with rubber jackets II and I8, which cover the stationary lower arms of clamps I3 and I4.

Positioned directly beneath the lower arms oi clamps I3 and I4 are glass rods 23 and 24, which extend through holes in the back wall of test chamber II. Slidably mounted over the ends of glass rods 23 and 24 is a U-shaped test cell 23, the center of which is composed of an extremely sensitive membranous material such as thin latex rubber, silk, pliolm, plastic, iish bladder or any other water impervious material.

Removably mounted beneath the center portion of test cell 25 is a semi-cylindrical solution container 28, which is adapted to hold a small quantity of waving solution. The ends of solution chamber 26 are .provided with smaller semi-circular openings equal in size to the diameter of the center -portion of test cell 25. Solution container 26 is also provided with a support 2T, which is adapted to rest on the bottom of test chamber II and hold solution container 2E in such a lposition that the center of test cell 25 is half immersed in the waving solution held within solution container 23.

Test chamber II has. in its upper right hand corner a pair of 110 volt, `r11/2 watt light bulbs 28 yand 28a. Said bulbs extend through openings in the rear wall of test chamber II and their purpose is to heat test chamber I I. Mounted on the rear wall `ci test chamber II in its upper left hand corner is thermostat 63. Thermostat 68 is set at `a temperature of 98.6, and controls the current owing to bulbs 28 and 28a, so that the temperature of test chamber II is constantly maintained at 98.6, which corres-ponds to the temperature of hair being waved on the head.

Referring now to the circuit diagram, Fig. 3, housed within body member I behind and above test .chamber I I are electrical components, which include a hydraulic system containing conducting fluid. Body member I9 has within its upper right hand corner a cylindrical reservoir 29, which holds va quantity of colored conducting fluid have ing a low s-pecic gravity. In the upper part of reservoir 23 is mounted a screw type plunger V38. which is adapted to exert pressure on the fluid contained in reservoir 29.

Extending downwardly from reservoir 29 is a hollow glass outlet tube 3I, which passes through a glass valve 32. Valve 32 is Iadapted to control the flow of conducting uid from reservoir 29. In the opposite end of outlet tube 3| is a hollow rubber tube 33. Rubber tube 33 passes through a balancing clamp 34, which is composed of a framework holding two blocks of wood, one stationary andv one movable. The movable block is connected to a screw type control 35, which ex tends through, and operated from the center of the top front of )body member III.

The opposite end. of rubber tube 33 is attached to one end of glass rod 23, which in turn extends into test chamber I I. At the point of juncture of rubber tube 33 and glass rod 23, a wire which leads from one side of the volt electrical input is connected to the conducting uid.

Glass rod 23 has already been described as being connected to test cell `25, which is in turn connected to glass rod 24. Glass rods 23 and 24 are preferably constructed of capillary tubing having an inner diameter of 1/2 to mm.

Glass rod 24 leads pasta `selector scale 36, which will be discussed in detail later, to a contact vessel 3l. Contact vessel 3'I has `positioned within its center a slender steel tube 38 of 26 gauge :stainless steel tubing, which tube extends into glass rod 24. When the conducting fluid reaches the bottom of steel tube 38, it establishes an electrical contact. rThis contact closes a circuit leading from one side of the 110 volt electric input through the conducting iluid circuit to steel tube 38. When the conducting fluid `passes out the end of steeltube 88, it falls and is held within contact vessel 31. Steel tube 38 also serves to prevent the formation of air bubbles in glass rods 23 and 24. A

Electrical current ilows through the circuit which is closed when the conducting fluid eontacts steel tube 38, and then ows through resistors 39 and 49, which are 103,000 and 70,000 ohm, l watt resistors respectively. The flow of current through these resistors creates a voltage drop, which is arnpliiiedl by a 6J5 amplier tube 4I.

Tube 4I has la 1000 ohm, 1 wattcathode resistor 42. The plate of tube 4I is connected to a 7500 ohm relay 43 which is parallel with a 25 microfarad, 25 volt condenser44.

An increase in the o-w of current in the plate .circuit of tube 4i actuates relay 43, causing it to close a circuit which leads tov signaling devices. The signaling devicesl comprise a 110 volt buzzer 45, which is in series with a 300 ohm 25 watt resistor 48. In parallel with buzzer 45 and resistor 46 is a 110 volt 71A; watt indicator light 41.

When there is no current owing in the circuit of amplifier tube 4I, relay 43 is not activated and the :circuits connected to the lower contact of relay 43 are closed. These circuits lead to a 110 volt, 1/60 R. P. M. timer 48 with a three minute cut-off., `which records the amount of time con-V sumed in waving the hai-r. The lower contact of relay 43 also leads to a power outlet, which may be used for a phonograph or yother electrically operated device, which may be 'placed in operation simultaneously with my device.

My electrical circuit provides a 6.3 volt 1 `ampere lament transformer v49, which supplies voltage for the filament of amplier tube 4I; an `on-off switch 58, which i-s a single pole single throw toggle switch projecting from the upper left han-d corner of the front of body member II); an operating switch 5I, which is a single pole single throw rotary switch. to begin: the hair Wave timing, and which projects from the Aupper right hand corner of the front of body member I0; and a view light 52, which isa 110 volt 'I1/2 watt bulb which is controlled by ori-off switch 59,. and which adjacent to selector scale 36 so that said scale will be read for a proper setting of my device. My circuit also includes a heating circuit comprising two 110 volt 71/2 watt bulbs 28 and 28a in Iparallel with each other and inv series with a thermostat 63. The heating circuit is enclosed within. test chamber II fand serves to maintain it at a constantl temperature of 98.6 to simulate the con-ditions under which-hair is waved on the head.`

In the upper front .portion of body member l0 nothing further need be done with regard to the beside iiuid |control 35 is an opening into which instrument or the subject. No test curls need is fitted a magnifying glass 53 of approximately be checked, and no observations need be made.'Y

7:1: power. -Directly behind magnifying glass 53 The physical change whichtalzes `place in the and visible therethrough is Selector scale 3B. Said 5 hair on the head of the subject also takes place scale is divided into seven zones indicated as very in the hair which is wrapped around test cell v25 ne, le, medium ne, medium, medium Coarse, of my device. The absorption of waving iluid coarse and very coarse. Each of said zones conand the Waving action Causes a Swelling ofthe tains three colored lines which are yellow, blue han and tightening of the hair on test; ceu 25, and red, reading dOWIlWaIdIY- The Seven Zones 10 This causes an increase of pressure on the con4 are for the type of hair and the colored lines are duct-mg mud Container n test een 25, forcing iol` a loose, medium or tight Wave. The bottom the fuid higher in Capillary glass rod 24" When 0f Selector Scale 35 is positioned 1'7 mmbeloW the hair is properly curled, the conducting. fluid the bottom end 0f Steel tubing 31- reaches a point where it establishes contactwith In the top center of the front of body member steel tube 33' l0 is an opening 54 across which lis the legend This Completes a circuit which permits Cm, Waved. When indicator bulb 41 is lit, thislegend rent to ow and develop a Voltage across resistors may be Cleazly Seen by the Operator' In Opera" 35i and d, which voltage is amplified by tube 4I. non my devlce 1s cnnected to a' suitable source The plate current of tube 4i then operates relay of 110 volt alternating current electrical supply. 20 43 causing buzzer 5 to Sound and indicator light Toggle Switch 5u is Switched to the ON position 4T to glow so that the Word Waved is clearly seen causing view light 52 to become lit so that selecthrough Opening 54 At the Same time the C10s tor Scale 35 is Visible through magnifying glass ing of relay 43 opens the circuit leading to the 53. Glass valve 32 of the conducting fluid system timer 48 so that the timer records the exact is opened and plunge? is fepressed in refselvor 25 amount of time consumed in obtaining the wave.4 2S to Cause Conductmg md to ow umm 1t 1S Relay 43 also breaks the power outlet circuit,

visible through magnifying glass 53. u h a 1 a t h h tb le Glass cover l2 is then slidably removed from W1 c m y e d 0 a p Onograp or o *er e c trically operated device. It is within the contemthe @ont of es hambelr Hf thsevegl ltrags 30 plation of my invention to use this outlet for a gf a. ggnda arlnsacaglp l; shca'mun phonograph record which explains to the subject -air 1s c test cell 25, and then around clamp I4. Screws the Operamon of my dex/me or Whlch plovldes soothing and entertaining music. v ulrlld gog; arsl 32 'ngnaz'rotnti It should be understood that while I have shown rait rmly against rubber jackets n and s 35 in my preferred embodiment this particular type The hair is then moistened with the same thioglygecutajpectl egstdp egac colate solution which is to be used on the head.

may be used, together with my hydraulic system, of the tension of the hair on test cell 25. Control 35 4l cmmlt' It also may be found deslrable to pro' vide an additional selector scale to compensate 1S aqJustegmim .mie end of the column. of con' for variations in the porosity or absorbency of the ductmg md 1S Vlsmle through magmfymg glass hair This scale would be provided on capillary 53.

. glass rod 24 and would be similar 1n construc- The Operator then safturateshe han'. on the tion and operation to selector scale 3S head of the subject with waving solution and Having thus described my invention I clam? wraps the curls. The operator then remoistens the hair on the head of the subject and follows l' hair Wave processing indicato-r comprising this by dropping more of the waving solution on lmsgaldalg :510383 tgp ottom' -sle and nmt the hair which is wrapped around test cell 25. adaped to bfnopved gllgclsgn sdpgsilg 52m; 0f thlst 50153122 lopgttttfl'l; 50 having a hollow interior, top, bottom, rear and SOdl 10: @on am l, side walls within the front portion of the hollow 1S lllggraelts rg switch 5 I interior of said casing forming with said window and returns to the subject to place a cap on the tgraahng aishg. llbolyua tliga; head (if bhe Tsuplec 51% @gl/er! "2 l thelld 55 spaced hair clamps mounted on the rear wall of IDO tp 35S, 011315129 ehghaenhrof tile clnutq said chamber, a pair of spaced capillary tubes ex- S eln aetm, 35 dg if in lass 53 tending forwardly from the hollow interior of y Using Cf T01 an mag? y g g said casing through the rear wall of said chamber t0 S the end 01 the Column 0f uld at the proper 60 into said chamber, said tubes positioned below settlng. v said hair clamps, a thinfmembranous test cell The 12113981 s ettmg 0f the @md 1s lm portant' attached to said ends of said tubes and extending 'thrlllgsulblgeesealootel between said tubes, a reservoir containing a uid i capable of conducting electrical current positlghl? WaVe- The 20H95 Should be detel'mmed pmol' 65 tioned within the hollow interior of said casing, to. the Stalf 0f the WlaVe .by the use of a Snap a glass outlet valve positioned beneath said resermicromete gauge WhlCl 1S Cahbrated to corre Voir and connected therewith, said valve adapted spond to the seven setting of selectoi scale '36. to permit the flow of uid from said reservoir, a This .gauge 1S not SllOWn 1n the acompanymg rubber tube connected at one end to said valve, drawings, ibut. itmay be found desirable to .1na clamp having jaws surrounding said rubber corporate it within body member I0 of my devlce.

C tube, means for controlling the closing of said The use 0f a gauge accurately Callblated 1n thou' jaws from the exterior of said casing to control sandths of an inch or fractions thereof eliminates the 110W of fiujd through said rubber tube, the inaccuracies or errors of human judgment. other end of said rubber tube connected to one of After the correct setting has been made. said capillary tubes, said iiuid adapted toow through saidrst capillary tube; said test cell and.

sai'd second capillary tube, said hair clamps adapted to hold the ends of a lock of hair which is wrapped around said test cell, said test cell adapted upon tightening of said lock of hair to cause said fluid to rise in said second capillary tube, electrical contacts positioned at opposite ends of said capillary tubes and included in an electrical circuit, said fluid adapted upon rising to the end of said second tube to close said electrical circuit through said fluid including a vacuum tube amplier, an electrical signaling device operated by the output of said amplifier and means for connecting said indicator 'to a suitable source of electrical supply.

2. A vhair wave processing indicator comprising a casing having a hol-low interior, the front of said casing having a window portion adapted to be opened and closed, walls within the front portion of the hollow interior of said casing forming with said Window portion a test chamber, a pair of spaced hair clamps mounted on one wall of said test chamber, a pair of spaced capillary tubes eX- tending from the hollow interior of said casing into said test chamber, said tubes positioned adjacent to said hair clamps, a thin membranous test cell attached to the forward end of said tubes and extending between said tubes, a reservoir containing a nuid capable of conducting electrical current positioned within the hollow interor of said casing, a connection leading from said reservoir to one of said capillary tubes, means for controlling the flow of fluid from said reservoir to said tube, said uid adapted to flow through said iirst capillary tube, test cell and -second capillary tube, saidihair clamps adapted to hold the ends of a lock of hair which is wrapped around said test cell, said test cell adapted upon tightening of said lock of hair to cause said fluid to rise in said second capillary tube, electrical contacts positioned at opposite ends of Asaid tubes and included in an electrical circuit, said iluid adapted upon rising in said second tube to close said electrical circuit, a signalling device operated upon the closing of said electrical circuit and means ior connecting said .indicator to a suitable source of electrical supply.

3. In a hair wave processing indicator, a thin membranous test cell containing a fluid, a capil-Y lary tube connected to said test cell, retaining means adjacent said test cell for holding the ends of a lock of hair which is wrapped around said test cell, said test cell adapted upon tightening of said lock of hair to cause said uid to rise in said capillary tube.

4. A hair wave processing indicator comprising' a casing', a thin membranous test cell containing a iiuid positioned within said casing, a capillary tube connected to said test cell, retaining means adjacent said test cell for holding the ends of a lock oi hair which is wrapped around said test cell, said test cell adapted upon tightening of said lock of hair to cause said iiuid to rise in said capillary tube to operate a signaling device.

ROBERT E. GRIGSBY.

No references cited. 

